Clerics vow to guard seminaries against conspiracies

Muhammad IrtazaMULTAN - JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman declared on Thursday that his party stood behind Wifaqul Madaris for the protection of seminaries, adding that some elements caused provocation to create pretext for destroying religious institutions but their bid would be resisted and foiled.Addressing a big Tahaffuz-e-Madaris-e-Diniya Conference here at Qila Qasim Bagh Multan, he added that whenever a new government came into power it took up the issue of religious institutions for discussion in parliament. He pointed out that the registration of religious institutions remained banned between 1994 and 2004 and then legislation was done at federal and provincial levels and the registration was allowed. “The organization of religious institutions, their financial system, syllabus and everything was discussed and agreed upon during this legislation. Why on earth are these issues touched again?” he posed a question. He said that he had clearly told the speaker and parliament that there would be no compromise on the issue of protection of religious institutions and the religious circles had categorically rejected the portion of national security policy concerning seminaries.He said that international imperialist powers had attacked our society in a new way as they penetrated deep into our streets in shape of NGOs. “Under these beautiful wrappers are old missionaries. Those giving sex education to students in schools and colleges are asked nothing while those who are teaching religion and safeguarding our culture are being targeted,” he lamented.He said that the parliament adopted resolutions in 2008 and 2011 while previous and current governments held APCs to develop consensus on the issue of war against terror. “All the efforts concluded with a consensus that peace should be restored with dialogue. Now why they are beating about the bush instead of resolving the issue through talks,” he maintained.He asked all clerics and students of seminaries to exhibit maximum responsible behaviour and show unity while discouraging any armed activity. “They are looking for just one student of any seminary with a gun on his shoulder. They need just one individual to use it for inflicting destruction on seminaries. We’ve to foil this conspiracy,” he asserted. He said that the students and teachers of the seminaries had to disseminate the message of peace to the world through their conduct.He said that there was no sectarian terrorism in 18th and 19th century when the Muslims were being led by the clerics in sub-continent but when the leadership was taken over by the agents of Britain feudals in 20th century, sectarian violence sparked. “Since the day you’ve taken the reign, there is war, destruction and terrorism. But we want to give our coming generations peaceful future. We’ll thwart your conspiracies,” he declared. He said that the congregation would disseminate the message of peace to all four provinces of the country. He regretted that some powers in Pakistan saw religious institutions from the eye of West which was highly condemnable. “Have you ever thought whose ranks you have joined and what is your identity,” he questioned. He said that the Quaid chose a graduate of a religious institution Allama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani for hoisting national flag in Karachi and Dhaka and it was also Allama who provided foundation to the state by giving Qarar Dad-e-Maqasid, which is part of constitution.Speaking on this occasion, Chief mediator nominated by Taliban and Amir of JUI (S) Maulana Samiul Haq said that the enemies wanted civil war in Pakistan. He hurled a warning to the government that any operation against religious institutions would fully be resisted. He categorically declared that any interference in the affairs of religious institutions by the government would not be tolerated. He accused western media of misleading the world and said that the rulers evolved policy under the influence of foreign propaganda.He said that peace could quickly be restored in the country by quitting American war on terror. He dubbed all those demanding operation against Taliban as enemies of Pakistan, saying the country would plunge into an unending war if their demand was accepted. He anticipated that many groups like Ehrarul Hind would surface to sabotage talks, adding that Taliban would also take action against them. He warned that the talks would not succeed if the government continued to pursue the policies of Musharraf regime. He claimed that Taliban wanted implementation of constitution, adding that even if the talks failed, he would not support operation. He declared that both the committees were likely to meet tomorrow.Addressing the congregation, Nazim-e-Ala of Wifaqul Madaris Pakistan Qari Hanif Jalindhri said that all the religious institutions unanimously rejected the part of national security policy (NSP) concerning seminaries, adding that it was made in light of Western agenda. “The one (America) blaming us for extremism also blames our army for having connections with Haqqani Group. If his blame on you (army) is fake, then he stance on us is also wrong,” he asserted. He said that the Wifaq ul Madaris had launched a peaceful movement in a unique way for the protection of seminaries and ideology of Pakistan as a series of conferences were being held across the country to disseminate the message of peace. He said that the students of seminaries fought the war of Pakistan against Russia and America. “If the time comes people will see these students fighting against the enemy in front line while the army will be in second line,” he claimed. He lashed out at USA and said that her soldiers desecrated Holy Quran for six times in Guantanamo, created sacrilegious caricatures, declined to consider detainees at Guantanamo as humans, massacred millions of Muslims in Arab world, Afghanistan and Iraq but still blamed us for extremism. He maintained that the USA was behind conspiracies for creating mutiny in China and it tried to push the region in serious unrest. Dr Abdul Razzaq Sikandar told the participants that the Wifaq looked after 18,000 religious institutions across the country where 1.5 million male and 0.7 females students were studying. Recalling history, he said that the seminaries kept the connection of Muslims alive with religion during British era.Ahle Sunnat Waljamat Chief Maulana Ahmad Ludhyanvi and many other notable religious leaders also spoke on this occasion. Strict security arrangements were made by the volunteers of religious organizations and police. Walkthrough gates were installed at all entry points of the pandal while the participants were body searched at two points before entry.